The Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation hosts harpsichordist and historian Mark Kroll.

This talk uncovers the story of Frank Hubbard, William Dowd, and Eric Herz—three visionary artisans who transformed Greater Boston into a global hub for historical harpsichord building in the 20th century. From the origins of the harpsichord in Renaissance Europe to the revival of historically informed instrument-making in postwar America, this lecture weaves together music, craftsmanship, and cultural history. Learn how these builders preserved centuries-old traditions while innovating for modern audiences—and how their legacy lives on in instruments, apprentices, and the music they helped bring back to life.

Kroll sets the context in which the Hubbards’ shop at the Lyman Estate carriage house expanded to the old Cotton Picker Building of the Boston Manufacturing Factory site on Moody Street. Hubbard Harpsichords pioneered the use of DIY kits that became popular in the 1960s and 70s, many of which were built in this mill complex.